Rhododendron 'Nova Zembla'

Common name: Rhododendron 'Nova Zembla'

Description: Rhododendron 'Nova Zembla' is a bold, vigorous, and supremely hardy hybrid rhododendron that has long been regarded as one of the toughest and most dependable red-flowered rhododendrons available to British gardeners, combining a striking and richly coloured floral display with an exceptionally robust constitution that makes it suitable for a wider range of garden conditions than many of its more demanding relatives. In late spring, the large, well-formed, domed trusses of widely funnel-shaped flowers open in a vivid, deep rose-red to crimson-red, each bloom marked with a prominent dark reddish-black spotting in the throat that adds a dramatic depth and intensity to the already richly coloured flowers. The trusses are produced in generous abundance above the foliage, creating a floral display of considerable impact and presence that makes 'Nova Zembla' a commanding and attention-commanding specimen at its spring peak. The handsome, large, evergreen leaves are a deep, glossy dark green with an attractive leathery texture, providing a bold and polished year-round structure of real garden value. 'Nova Zembla' is notably more tolerant of exposed positions, colder conditions, and less than ideal soils than many large-flowered hybrid rhododendrons, and its vigorous, upright to broadly rounded habit makes it equally well suited to use as a bold specimen shrub, a back-of-border evergreen, or an informal screen in woodland and semi-shaded garden settings. A rhododendron of great reliability and enduring garden merit.

Other benefits: one of the hardiest and most cold-tolerant red-flowered rhododendrons available; bold and richly coloured spring flower trusses; large, handsome evergreen foliage for year-round structure; greater tolerance of exposed positions and colder conditions than many hybrids; vigorous and reliable over the long term; excellent as a specimen, screen, or back-of-border evergreen

Wildlife attraction: bumblebees and other large-bodied pollinators

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 2m x 2m

Position: partial shade preferred; more tolerant of open and exposed positions than most large-flowered hybrids; shelter from the most severe, desiccating winds is still beneficial; avoid frost pockets where late frosts may damage the emerging flower trusses

Soil pH: requires acid to slightly acid soil; pH 4.5–6.0; will not tolerate alkaline or chalky conditions; benefits from the incorporation of ericaceous compost and composted bark at planting; water with collected rainwater in hard water areas

Moisture: regular watering required, particularly when establishing and during dry spells; prefers consistently moist but well-drained, humus-rich, acid soil; a deep mulch of composted bark helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and maintain soil acidity; avoid waterlogging

Winter hardiness: fully hardy to approximately -25°C; one of the hardiest large-flowered hybrid rhododendrons available and thoroughly reliable throughout the UK including in the coldest and most exposed regions